Huntsville Utilities Crews Helping In Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY (WHNT) – Several utility crews from north Alabama have traveled to the northeast to help with the massive effort to restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Huntsville Utilities crews will arrive in Long Island, New York today to assist the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) with restoration efforts.

Joe Gehrdes, spokesperson for Huntsville Utilities, said HU and LIPA entered a mutual aide agreement Friday morning. Huntsville Utilities sent nine crewmen to help. The group includes two three-person bucket crews, one pole-setter, one material truck and one supervisor.

Joe Wheeler Electric also sent eight linemen to the northeast. They were part of a group of 145 workers from Alabama electric co-ops who went to help. A Joe Wheeler spokesperson said their workers were assigned to do repairs in Maryland, and they finished the job and returned home.

Decatur Utilities crews sent a six-man crew bound for Seaside Heights, New Jersey, but called them back, saying they weren’t able to get clarification about documents asking workers to join a union. Read more here.

We are tracking down more information on this story today, and will continue to post new details on WHNT.com.